VisitAble

Liz Owen has launched Project Doorbell in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, to help make high streets more accessible. This project provides doorbells to local businesses, allowing people who need additional help to easily alert staff. Liz explained that many shops were not always accessible, but this project has been well-received by the community. One heartwarming example is when she delivered a doorbell to Floored by Ian, and the owner, Ian McLachlan, went above and beyond to improve access to his shop. Although the front of the shop had concrete steps, he surprised Liz by building a ramp at the side entrance, ensuring that everyone could enter the shop with ease. This project highlights the impact small, thoughtful changes can have on creating an inclusive environment, proving that accessibility is possible with creativity and a caring mindset. To learn more, click this link: https://lnkd.in/evg_5A9d Image Description: Light peach background. Liz Owen sits in her wheelchair inside a hardware store, with vertical blinds and rolled-up carpets in the background. Below, a doorbell sign reads, “Please ring bell for assistance”. Photo credit: Tom Jackson/BBC. #VisitAble #VisitAbleCertification #disability #accessibility #promote #improve #empower #design #inclusion #InclusiveDesign #InclusiveBusinesses #ProjectDoorbell #AccessMatters #HighStreetAccessibility

College can be overwhelming. For the first time, students live away from home, are completely surrounded by other students their age, and are expected to figure out their futures, maintain good grades, and make new friends. Students who are neurodivergent face additional challenges as they must advocate for themselves with possibly less help from their families. Most classrooms and residential spaces are designed for neurotypical students, making it challenging for neurodivergent students to navigate large classes and busy schedules. To ease transitions, students can make requests for academic accommodations, join student organizations, and utilize campus resources like office hours and tutoring. To read more about navigating the college experience as a neurodivergent student, click this link: https://lnkd.in/eNp_aaK7 Image Description: Light orange background. Black text at the top reads, “Navigating College as a Neurodivergent Student.” Image of a person writing at a desk in front of a bookshelf. #VisitAble #VisitAbleCertification #disability #accessibility #promote #improve #empower #inclusion #InclusiveDesign #neurodivergent #college #CollegeLife

Alice Wong, a prominent disability rights advocate, author, and founder of the Disability Visibility Project, continues to champion the voices and rights of disabled individuals. Through her work, Wong emphasizes the importance of accessibility, representation, and inclusion in all aspects of society. She tirelessly advocates for policy changes and societal shifts that recognize and accommodate the diverse needs of the disability community, ensuring their stories and experiences are heard and valued. Her memoir, "Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life," and her role as an editor of the acclaimed anthology "Disability Visibility" highlight her dedication to amplifying disabled voices and fostering a more equitable world. Image Description: Light orange background. Black text at top reads “Advocate Spotlight”. A picture of Alice Wong is in the middle. Black text at the bottom reads “Alice Wong Writer and Activist”. #VisitAble #VisitAbleCertification #disability #accessibility #promote #improve #empower #design #inclusion #InclusiveDesign #AliceWong #advocacy #writer #activists

Congratulations to Travel Lane County for completing the VisitAble Advocate Certification process! ?? Travel Lane County has a mission to grow overnight visitors for a vibrant, year-round and county-wide economy in the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region of Oregon. They’re also leading the charge for the destination to grow accessible tourism initiatives, thereby making the entire County more welcoming for visitors and community members with disabilities. Eugene, Cascades & Coast provides unique access to trails, riverfront experiences, wine tastings, lodging, campgrounds, restaurants, and powerful artist performances to adventurers and go-getters in Oregon. The county prioritizes accessibility with hearing loops in critical locations - Lane County now has the largest concentration of hearing looped tourist attractions in the region! The county is capable of delivering accessible experiences for thrill-seekers like wheelchair user Kristin Hayes who visited Mount Pisgah and Salt Creek Falls and stated she is “happy to report that all activities in this itinerary meet my approval for wheelchair accessibility.” We have witnessed their dedication towards inclusivity as they have trained 100% of their staff with VisitAble! We're excited to grow this partnership in the future and support tourist attractions by spreading disability awareness in the community as well. With their new awareness from our training, Travel Lane County will be well-equipped to host the USATF (Track & Field) Para National Championships from July 31- August 2, 2025. If you’d like to learn more about what your next destination experience in Oregon could look like, click this link: https://lnkd.in/d4FNTRRZ Image Description: The top left photo contains individuals at a pop-up market in Eugene. To its right is an image of an individual in a recreational, specialized wheelchair on the beach in Lane County The bottom two photos depict Lane County’s coastline. The ‘Eugene Cascades and Coast' logo is in the center of the image. The VisitAble certification badge is on the bottom right corner of the image. #VisitAble #VisitAbleCertification #disability #accessibility #inclusion #tourism #AccessibleTourism #InclusiveTourism #SustainableTourism #Oregon #USATF #TravelLaneCounty

This March, we’re recognizing Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. VisitAble is proud to support inclusion and accessibility for everyone. This month is a reminder to listen, learn, and work toward a more inclusive world! A great resource for families and caregivers is Summit DD: Developmental Disabilities Board. For more info about Summit DD, click this link: https://lnkd.in/ewNyDW_4 Image Description: Blue text at the top reads "Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month" with a heart ribbon. Below are five icons representing different disabilities: sign language, wheelchair, braille, cognitive, and mobility. The background is light pink and blue with glitter. Caption: "Photography credit: Senior Executive". #VisitAble #VisitAbleCertification #disability #accessibility #promote #improve #empower #design #inclusion #InclusiveDesign #DD #DevelopmentalDisabilities #March

This past August, Colorado passed a law making prescription drug labels more accessible for individuals who are blind or have visual disabilities. The law requires pharmacies to provide critical medication information in formats like large print, braille, or audio via a QR code. Accessible labels help prevent health risks and ensure people can take their medications safely and independently. This is a big step toward a more inclusive healthcare system! Thank you to the advocates and lawmakers pushing for this change. For more information, click this link: https://lnkd.in/d2B--aKF Image Description: Tan and brown background with the State of Colorado logo at the top. Below, a healthcare professional, identifiable by their stethoscope, speaks with a person in a medical setting. White text at the bottom reads "Prescription Drug Label Accessibility". #VisitAble #VisitAbleCertification #disability #accessibility #inclusion #AccessibleHealthCare #PrescriptionLabels #IndependenceForAll #DisabilityRights #ColoradoNews

Congrats to our next round of certified Richmond Region Tourism partners! We appreciate these six organizations for building a more inclusive future! Agecroft Hall & Gardens is situated on 23 acres, overlooking the James River. Agecroft Hall was disassembled and relocated to Richmond in 1926. The staff is working hard to enhance visitor experience by offering inclusive practices, partnering with Virginia Voice to create audio-described tour experiences. Swift Creek Mill Theatre is a nonprofit that offers professional theatre in VA, including Youth Theatre and educational programs, and works to preserve its historic building. Known for their performances, the theatre recently received a large donation to support its role in the community. The American Civil War Museum at Historic Tredegar offers deep insights into our country’s civil war history. We’re excited to see their continued efforts toward accessibility and look forward to their 20th annual “On the Battlefield” symposium on February 22nd. The White House of the Confederacy served as the Confederate Executive Mansion during the Civil War. They offer guided tours that provide a glimpse into the restored public rooms and private quarters, shedding light on the lives of those who lived and worked there. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden has long been a partner in making nature accessible to all. The Garden celebrates the diversity of all people, just as they honor the diversity of plants and ecosystems in our world. Their themed garden hosts seasonal events and community activities, creating an even more inclusive space. The Ashland Visitor Center is located in a lively small town with a rich history and strong community. The visitor center is housed in a 1920s train depot and lies about 15 miles north of Richmond. Their staff works hard to guide guests to local historical sites, dining, and attractions. For more information, click this link: linktr.ee/visitable Image Description: Top row: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Ashland Visitor Center, Agecroft Hall & Gardens. Second row: Swift Creek Mill Theatre, American Civil War Museum at Historic Tredgar, White House of the Confederacy. Bottom left: "Certified. Engaged. Driven." Bottom right: VisitAble Certification Badge. #VisitAbleCertification

About four months ago, a mobile hoist was introduced at Rhyl Beach in Denbighshire, making the beach more accessible for wheelchair users. The hoist allows individuals to transfer into specialized beach wheelchairs and enjoy the beach and water with their families. Donated by Holistic Thinking Holidays, a company focused on inclusive holiday experiences, the hoist marks a step toward improving beach access. There are hopes to expand this effort to other beaches across the country! To learn more, click this link: https://lnkd.in/eV3AfC8v Image Description: Ocean water in the background with a man sitting in a specialized beach wheelchair with large balloon-like wheels. He is smiling, wearing a green jacket and gray athletic pants. The image includes text: "Accessible Hoist" at the top and "At the Beach" at the bottom. #VisitAble #VisitAbleCertification #disability #accessibility #promote #improve #empower #design #inclusion #InclusiveDesign #BeachAccess #WheelchairAccess #InclusiveTravel

Today we highlight the words of Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web. He stated, “The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect." Berners-Lee emphasizes that the true strength of the internet lies in its inclusivity. By ensuring that digital spaces are accessible to everyone, we uphold the Web’s core mission of universality. Image Description: Beige gradient background with a large computer on the right and a black quote from Tim Berners-Lee: "The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect." Orange quotation mark and star-like accents are shown. #VisitAble #VisitAbleCertification #disability #accessibility #promote #improve #empower #design #inclusion #InclusiveDesign #WebAccessibility #InclusionForAll #TimBernersLee #DigitalInclusion #AccessibilityMatters

It’s with great pleasure to announce that the Eastern Shore of Virginia Public Library System (ESPL) is the first recipient of VisitAble’s new two-year certification! This also marks our second time working with ESPL, and we couldn't be more excited to continue our partnership. ESPL has been embraced by the local community, with over 2,100 new library card registrations in their last fiscal year. They provide valuable services for the community such as technology assistance, book clubs, free Wi-Fi connection, and movie nights. Their willingness to go above and beyond to provide training to their volunteers is reflected in their offering of an “environment for everyone” through inclusive books and multimedia. We see ESPL’s mission to document the past, present, and future aligns with their dedication to accessibility, and we look forward to supporting their efforts over the next two years! Explore your past, present, and future at Eastern Shore Public Library by clicking this link: https://espl.org/ Image Description: Background image of Eastern Shore Public Library with bold black lettering stating “Visitable Advocate Partner”, “Eastern Shore Public Library” and “Our First 2-Year Certification” beneath. A gold “1st” medal icon is in the bottom right corner. The VisitAble Advocate badge is on the bottom left corner of the image. #VisitAble #VisitAbleCertification #disability #accessibility #promote #improve #empower #awareness #inclusion #DisabilityInclusion #Certification #AdvocateCertification #EasternShorePublicLibrary #2YearCertification #community